Helical Dilation Device for Urethral Obstruction Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causes urethral obstruction due to enlarged prostate, leading to difficulties in urine flow and associated urinary system problems, for which existing treatments may be partially effective or invasive.
Innovation Solution
A dilation device is implanted around the outside of the urethra, with parts embedded in the surrounding prostate tissue, to prevent clinically significant compression of the urethra. The device can be in the form of a spiral wire or separate curved sections, made of resilient material, and is implanted transurethrally or by screwing into the prostate tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drug therapy is used to treat BPH, then smooth muscle relaxation and urine flow improvement are achieved, but treatment effectiveness is only partial in some cases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological treatment with a mechanical device (dilation device) that physically maintains urethral patency through dilation, eliminating the need for continuous drug therapy and providing more reliable mechanical support against prostate compression
Solution Approach 2:
The dilation device acts as an intermediary mechanical structure between the enlarged prostate and the urethra, physically preventing compression while allowing the prostate to remain in place, thus solving the treatment effectiveness issue without requiring complex surgical intervention
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive mechanical treatment is used, then surgical invasiveness is reduced, but treatment effectiveness varies and may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dilation device is segmented into multiple components (delivery catheter, dilation device, anchoring mechanisms) that can be delivered through the urethra in a minimally invasive manner, yet when deployed, provide substantial mechanical support to ensure treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The dilation device transitions from a low-profile configuration during delivery to an expanded three-dimensional structure at the implantation site, allowing minimally invasive delivery while achieving substantial mechanical support and treatment effectiveness
3Reliability
If transurethral dilation device implantation is performed, then urethral obstruction is relieved and urethral dilation is maintained, but the procedure requires precise positioning and embedding in prostate tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The dilation device incorporates self-anchoring features and tissue embedding capabilities that allow it to automatically secure itself in the prostate tissue surrounding the urethra, reducing the need for complex surgical fixation procedures while maintaining reliable urethral dilation
Solution Approach 2:
The device design includes features that provide tactile or visual feedback during implantation to guide precise positioning, ensuring the dilation device is correctly embedded in the prostate tissue at the appropriate location to maintain urethral dilation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dilation device effectively relieves urethral obstruction by maintaining urethral dilation, preventing recompression due to prostate enlargement, and reducing the risk of complications such as restenosis and tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
the dilation device is formed of a resilient material, and the mounting device is configured to permit a reduction of a transverse dimension of the dilation device as it passes though the working channel
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are described for dilating a portion of a urethra surrounded by an enlarged prostate. The apparatus includes dilation device, and a delivery device including a balloon. The delivery device is configured to deliver the dilation device and the balloon to the portion of the urethra, while the dilation device is disposed in a helical configuration on the delivery device. Upon the balloon and the dilation device being disposed at the portion of the urethra, the delivery device is configured to expand the balloon, thereby expanding the portion of the urethra, and to cause the dilation device to radially expand from the helical configuration to an arc configuration. Subsequently, the delivery device is configured to implant the dilation device, from outside the balloon, into tissue of the prostate surrounding the portion of the urethra, while the portion of the urethra is expanded by the balloon.